EC Dental Science

Research Article Volume 22 Issue 2 - 2023

Xerostomia in Childhood Cancer Survivors: A Late Effect of Antineoplastic Treatment?

Kyriaki Seremidi1*, Katerina Katsibardi2, Antonia Vlachou3, Argy Polychronopoulou4, Antonis Kattamis5 and Katerina Kavvadia6

1Paediatric Dentist, Academic Scholar, Department of Paediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
2Medical Doctor, Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, First Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, National and the Kapodistrian University of Athens
3Medical Doctor, Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, First Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, National and the Kapodistrian University of Athens
4Professor, Department of Preventive and Community Dentistry, School of Dentistry, National and the Kapodistrian University of Athens 5Professor, Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, First Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, National and the Kapodistrian University of Athens 6Professor, Diplomate ABPD, School of Dentistry, European University of Cyprus

*Corresponding Author: Kyriaki Seremidi, Paediatric Dentist, Academic Scholar, Department of Paediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.
Received: January 16, 2023; Published: January 27, 2023



Objective: This retrospective cross-sectional study aimed to assess the effect of antineoplastic treatment on salivary indices of childhood cancer survivors. Further objective was to correlate patient-reported xerostomia with objective hyposalivation.

Methods: Seventy children and adolescents, aged 5 - 21 years, that have been treated for any type of malignancy up to age of 10 years and are in remission were enrolled. Saliva was collected to determine stimulated salivary flow rate and buffer capacity. Patient-reported xerostomia was evaluated using xerostomia inventory questionnaire.

Results: Mean salivary flow rate was 1.56 ml/min, with only 5% of participants having very low. Most participants (71%) had high buffer capacity while 4% had low. Univariate ordinal regression analysis revealed a significantly higher incidence of low and very low flow rate in patients with fewer post-treatment years. Patients with longer post-treatment periods showed 1.21 times greater risk of developing altered buffer capacity. Multivariate analysis confirmed that years since the end of treatment were the only variable associated with altered salivary function. Only 13% of the participants reported xerostomia, which was not significantly associated with hyposalivation.

Conclusion: Xerostomia should not be considered a late effect of antineoplastic treatment, as it does not persist for many years after treatment completion.

Keywords: Salivary Flow Rate; Xerostomia; Hyposalivation; Antineoplastic Treatment; Childhood Cancer Survivors

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Kyriaki Seremidi., et al. “Xerostomia in Childhood Cancer Survivors: A Late Effect of Antineoplastic Treatment?”.”. EC Dental Science 22.2 (2023): 40-49.

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